While I looked around this modern multi-million dollar structure I thought to myself: "We've come a long way since the old days and the old facilities."

Those medical facilities of old consisted of a doctor's office and clinic combined with the residence, and two nondescript wooden buildings on the shore side of the old West Bay Road.

Remember, the road started in front of Uncle Gratty's house and followed the shore for quite a distance.

Many years later the road was re-routed further inland, starting in the vicinity of the Merren's building.

Along the old road (somewhere behind the Seven Mile Shops) there were two wooden buildings, end to end of each other.

Each building had a corrugated metal roof, several windows and two doors.

I do not remember any glass panes or screens, no kitchens or toilets, and no landscaping, just two plain buildings, each, probably15' wide x 20' long.

An older sister told me they were called asylums for people with tuberculosis and those who were crazy.

How and when these buildings were used and by whom, I'll never know.

Imagine being confined to these buildings at any time but especially during the mosquito season, when all windows and doors had to be closed.

As I waited for my appointment, all these thoughts crossed my mind; perhaps that's why I am now afraid of hospitals and clinics.